Cultural Properties of the Munakata Region
| Name |
Rock-top ritual |
| Classification |
|
| Address |
|
| Form |
|
| Survey year |
|
| Storage status |
|
| Excavated relics |
|
| Age |
Late 4th to mid-5th centuries |
| Description |
In the latter half of the 4th century, when overseas exchanges in East Asia were becoming active, a ritual site was established on top of one of the huge rocks on the island. Votive offerings were carefully lined up in the narrow gap where two rocks come together and were then covered with stones. Twenty-one bronze mirrors were found at this site, and other offerings discovered there consist of weapons such as iron swords and beads including magatama, all of which are items that were also being buried in mounded tombs during this period. In addition, mirrors, swords, and beads correspond to the "three sacred treasures" of Japanese mythology, and are still used in rituals to this day.
Around the mid-5th century, an altar surrounded by stones placed in a square formation was laid out on top of a huge rock. During this time iron ingots that the Yamato state had imported from the Korean Peninsula were also first used as votive offerings. |
| volume / scale / area |
|
| Collection |
|
| References |
|
| Catalog page |
|
Copyright © 2020 The Preservation and Utilization Council of the sacred island of Okinoshima and the Associated Sites in the Munakata Region, All Rights Reserved.